NATO Unfazed by Belarus Leader’s Claims, Sees No Shift in Russian Nuclear Position

Despite claims from the leader of Belarus, NATO has observed no alterations to Russia’s stance on nuclear affairs, according to the alliance’s chief, who spoke on Thursday. These comments come after President Alexander Lukashenko proclaimed that Belarus has already received tactical nuclear weapons from Moscow.

In a recent broadcast on state-run television, Lukashenko confidently threatened that he wouldn’t shy away from deploying these weapons should Belarus be confronted with an act of aggression. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the weapons would be stationed in Belarus the following month, but they will exclusively remain under Moscow’s command.

“We are undoubtedly keeping a keen eye on Russia’s actions. As of now, we’ve not observed any shifts in their nuclear stance that would necessitate a modification in our position,” stated Stoltenberg as he addressed the press before presiding over a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, the alliance’s main base.

A meeting of NATO’s covert nuclear defense planning team is set to take place on Friday. While the meeting was scheduled well in advance and isn’t a direct response to recent occurrences, the alliance is apprehensive about Putin’s intimidations and his choices to withdraw Russia from significant arms control treaties.

Stoltenberg voiced his concern over Russia’s nuclear discourse stating, “Russia’s nuclear rhetoric and messaging is irresponsible and hazardous. Russia needs to understand that a nuclear war is unwinnable and should never be waged.” He also pointed out that “Russia has substantially invested in and deployed new modern nuclear capabilities, some of which are situated close to NATO territories, like in the high north for instance.”

Earlier in the year, Putin made public plans to station short-range nuclear weapons in Belarus, Russia’s neighbor and ally. This move is widely interpreted as a warning to the West, especially with its increasing military aid to Ukraine. Additionally, Russia has been leveraging Belarus as a launch pad for assaults in Ukraine.

During an interaction with Lukashenko on Friday, Putin mentioned that the facilities for the weapons are expected to be operational by July 7-8, with a swift transfer to Belarusian territory to follow.

U.S. President Joe Biden, along with his NATO peers, is set to attend a summit on July 11-12 in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital. The location is notably close to the Belarus border, only about 35 kilometers (22 miles) away.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Russia’s nuclear posture

More about Russia’s nuclear posture

• NATO’s Official Statements
• President Lukashenko’s Claims on State Television
• President Putin’s Nuclear Weapons Deployment Plan
• NATO’s Concerns About Russia’s Nuclear Rhetoric
• Russia’s Use of Belarus for Assaults in Ukraine
• Upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius